Cowboy ammo question

[dozer wright]

I hope your not firing 38 specials in a 357 magnum!. Because of the shorter case you can get lead spalling from a miniscule change in alignment, can cause catastrophic failure and danger of exploding your chamber.

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Wrong ^^^ This is Very common to do .

[smashycrashy]

Why is cowboy ammo more expensive that regular plinking ammo? Second question. Can a person load 357 magnum cases to 800 fps.? When I use 38 specials my rifle has some problems cycling, that is why I am asking about the magnum case, they cycle better. Why do some manufacturers load with light bullets and 158 grain heavy bullets, with the velocity the same? Recoil? I am shooting a carbine.

It’s essentially a speciality load since it’s down loaded for the lower FPS, I’ve used some cowboy choice ammo for sass, it’s pretty good but I generally roll my own.

The people will use heavier bullets for knockdown targets but in general people are using small light rounds at as close to the minimum power factor as possible for no recoil.

As far as it cycling for lever actions, there is a minimum recommended oal to hit that generally solves that issue assuming the shape of the round isn’t a problem for the feed ramp.

[Barbarosa]

^^^ FUD

Given that he's a newbie I was hoping it was a failed attempt at sarcasm.

[mikeyr]

I have been firing .38spl in my .357 revolvers and lever actions for 40+ years now. I dare say I have fired more .38's in them than .357. My daughter grew up shooting powderpuff .38spl loads in my .357's.

Its very common knowledge that its perfectly safe to do.

Now to the OP's question about Cowboy ammo being more expensive, its because its speciality ammo, its just that they have to set up a run for cowboy ammo and so they charge more, ok that is just a sarcastic guess, but probably not far from the truth, hey Bob, lets call it Cowboy and charge more...that is called marketing.

I am not sure you can get down to a .38spl load in a .357 case for your carbine, that might be too low with too much space in the case and not a lot of powder in the case, but I would try it with a powder that fills the case like TrailBoss and I bet you can get close.

[Sputnik]

Plus or minus 3.2 gr. of Trailboss under a 158 lead bullet (eta: in a .357 case) is pretty light and for sure lighter than a factory .38. When I load in a .357 case that is what I do. Generally I just load everything in .38 brass as it's just more easy to come by.
If you're competitive or just a gamer you can go with super light 100grn bullets for a real mouse fart load.
As has been said cowboy loads are low run specialty ammo so the mfr charges more.

[GM4spd]

For the win.

[RedRaptor]

I forgot who makes them, but for the rifles, there is a longer lead bullet that will feed way better when using .38 cases in a magnum rifle. I think they are called Snakebights!? Not sure if there is a benefit to using them in the pistols.

[357magnum]

I load Hornady XTP 125gr bullets with 5.0gr of Win-231 powder and Magnum Primers in 357 Magnum cases.
This is a nice shooting 38 spl load in a revolver and like a 22LR feel in my Ruger 77/357 carbine.

[Humboldt Leatherneck]

Why is cowboy ammo more expensive that regular plinking ammo? Second question. Can a person load 357 magnum cases to 800 fps.? When I use 38 specials my rifle has some problems cycling, that is why I am asking about the magnum case, they cycle better. Why do some manufacturers load with light bullets and 158 grain heavy bullets, with the velocity the same? Recoil? I am shooting a carbine.

What is the model of your .357 magnum carbine/ rifle????

I have a Winchester 94AE and a Marlin 1894 both lever action rifles/ carbines chambered in .357 magnum, and I have no issues in shooting or cycling .38 specials (FMJ, SP, SWC, or lead round nose) in either one of them.

[1911man]

I am on a the 11 day wait for my marlin made in 1981. It is in almost perfect condition. I was thinking of not shooting it and keep it a safe queen because of the condition of the rifle. Or should I just shoot it? Something I heard yesterday, if you load 357s to mouse fart loads your accuracy will suffer? Is that true? Because of the extra air space in the case.

[Sputnik]

In cowboy shooting you're going for time on fairly big, fairly close steel targets. You're not shooting bullseye. My accuracy has always been more than adequate for the requirement but I've never felt the need to go for the absolute minimum loads.

[1911man]

Lead only?

[4DSJW]

I am on a the 11 day wait for my marlin made in 1981. It is in almost perfect condition. I was thinking of not shooting it and keep it a safe queen because of the condition of the rifle. Or should I just shoot it? Something I heard yesterday, if you load 357s to mouse fart loads your accuracy will suffer? Is that true? Because of the extra air space in the case.

There are powders that have been specially made for reduced loads, specifically to take up extra volume. Lot's of people use common powders without any problems. Check out the SASS Forum for all the reloading info you could ever want on CAS loads.

[Sputnik]

Lead only?

For SASS/CAS? Yes, lead only. They can be poly coated though, just no copper jackets, washes, plating or gas checks.

[Sky_DiveR]

For SASS/CAS? Yes, lead only. They can be poly coated though, just no copper jackets, washes, plating or gas checks.

Why? Cuz copper is not period accurate?